15. Kusang Flashcards
No matter how great one may be,
worldly influence only leads to harm. Conversely, regardless of how grave a sinner a person may be, if they maintain profound association with God - who is satya - then that person also becomes absolutely pure and attains liberation. Vachanamrut: Gadhada I 42
When a person who has affection for the panchvishays
(sense pleasures) encounters evil company, one can never be certain about him. Thus, to please God, a devotee should totally discard the panchvishays. He should also abandon any affection for objects which may hinder his love for God. Vachanamrut: Gadhada II 56
An aspirant may develop both spiritual knowledge
and affection for the Satpurush. But bad company in satsang spoils it. Therefore recognize it and stay away from it. Swamini Vat 5/345
Even if one is a firm Haribhakta,
if he listens to the words of bad company, his intellect becomes polluted. Therefore, Haribhakto should remain vigilant. Purushottam Bolya Prite: 18
Mumukshu devotees should
also recognize kusang within satsang and should never associate with it. Satsang Diksha: Shlok 224
In 1980, Pramukh Swami Maharaj was in USA and came to Los Angeles.
Some yuvaks were travelling with Swamishri. They said to Swamishri, “We want to go and see Las Vegas.”
Swamishri replied, “There is no fun there. It is a gambling city. There is nothing worth seeing there.” Despite this, the yuvaks insisted on going to see the city and said, “We only want to see the beautiful sights.”
Swamishri warned, “OK, but do not gamble there.” The yuvaks replied, “We will not gamble. We only want to go to see.”
When they returned the following day, each of the yuvaks returned having engaged in gambling. Swamishri gave each of them a fast as a form of atonement for what they had done. Prasang: 1980, Los Angeles, USA
